Worlds apart, kids bond at Franklin arts school

Addicted to acting, Ryan Leung dreams of one day seeing his name on a brightly lit marquee, but more than the fame, he wants the freedom to show off what’s inside him.

By Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Wicked Local

By Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Posted Jul. 26, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 26, 2012 at 3:00 AM

By Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Posted Jul. 26, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 26, 2012 at 3:00 AM

FRANKLIN

» Social News

Addicted to acting, Ryan Leung dreams of one day seeing his name on a brightly lit marquee, but more than the fame, he wants the freedom to show off what’s inside him.

"I want to express myself," the sprightly 11-year-old said Wednesday afternoon at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts.

Ryan, joined by five other energetic children, arrived here Monday from Hong Kong, flying more than 8,000 miles to dance, sing and act with students from the Franklin school, all part of a special weeklong summer camp.

They are from the LZYE QQ club, an international learning institute started by the enigmatic musician Harry Wong, a television and radio personality in China and member of the Hong Kong Philharmonic.

Nicol Tseng, 10, also loves acting. "Acting allows you to pretend to be people your parents don’t want you to be," Nicol said. "You can become stuff you can’t really become."

"Like a spy," Ryan suggested.

On Friday, the children will perform at the Franklin arts school. They rehearsed their routine Wednesday: songs from the musical "Hair Spray."

The kids kept in tune and step throughout the choreographed routine.

Although a few of the children are seeing America for the first time, all appeared to fit right in at the Franklin school — especially under the tutelage of their instructor for the week, Raye Lynn Mercer.

"Their trip here went smoothly considering the time change," Mercer, the school’s founder, said Wednesday. "They have done remarkably well. But our youngest has had to take a few extra naps."

Mercer and Wong first met while the former was touring Hong Kong in April. They decided to collaborate for the camp because their educational values were so alike.

The kids from China have been paired with American buddies from the school. They all exchanged e-mails before meeting Monday.

"There was a lot of excitement on both sides," Mercer said, adding they greeted each other like longtime friends.

"I couldn’t wait to meet my new friends," said 10-year-old Mia Fleischer, one of the FSPA students taking part in the camp. "It makes me feel great to know I have friends from different places in the world."